Ash tray and extinguisher



Oct. 17, 1967 J. H. MESTER ASH TRAY AND EXTINGUISHER Filed Aug. 11, 1965 Jaseph H. Master INVENTOR.

United States Patent G P 3,347,246 ASH TRAY AND EXTINGUISHER Joseph H. Mester, 373 S. Seguin Ave., New Braunfels, Tex. 78130 Filed Aug. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 478,935 9 Claims. (Cl. 131--237) This invention relates to an improved ash tray which is expressly designed and constructed for general use and, more particularly, for self-supporting practical and efficient use in the home, oifice, restaurant, hotel, in an automobile, or wherever desired.

Briefly, the present invention is characterized by a relatively deep flat-bottomed box-like tray or receiver having a readily openable and closable cover or lid and novel self-contained means on the interior for effectually holding and safely extinguishing cigarettes for disposition or re-use, as the case may be.

The broad objective in the instant matter is to improve upon prior art adaptations wherein facilities are provided for trapping ashes and butts as well as for extinguishing a partially consumed cigarette which can, if desired, be re-smoked. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to improve upon the unique adaptation disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 408,972. To accomplish the improved result the case comprises hingedly connected tray and cover sections enclosing a partially consumed cigarette extinguishing, storing and saving chamber. The chamber is expansible and contractible and is accordingly made up of oriented elongated channel-like troughs which clampingly and conformingly grip, confine and extinguish the cigarette in a matter of five seconds more or less. While one trough is fixed, the opposed companion trough is yieldable and the floating action thus achieved results in automatic adjustment for cigarettes of varying cross-sectional dimensions. Then, too, my personal pocket size case has semi-circular notches at one end of the chamber which, when oriented and properly coordinated, define a hole or opening which allows the mouth end (often a filtered tip) to protrude for drying in the atmosphere and conditioning the smothered cigarette for further use.

In carrying out the principles of the present subject matter, I provide round orifices or holes at both ends of the extinguishing trough for selective use. Secondly, both semi-circular troughs are fixed, one in the cover section or lid and the other in the tray, the latter being deep enough to receive ashes, many discarded butts and small items of refuse. To take care of firm and loose packed cigarettes of varying diameters, diametrically opposite sides of the chamber have elongated crotch-like recesses or auxiliary channels which compensate for and minimize squeezing and spreading and prevent crushing and damage to the re-smokable cigarette.

Further, the convex surface of the channelled troughs are spaced from adjacent wall surfaces and permit air circulation and diminish condensation, accumulation of tar depositing such as would be absorbed by the cigarette and render it unfit for re-smokable usage.

Then, too, the deep easy-to-clean tray or receiver has at least one vertical wall notched and provided with a half-trough which provides a cigarette rest while smoking. In addition, a third full-length trough is mounted in the recessed portion of the rim-equipped lid or cover and is coordinated with and caps over the seat or channel of the cigarette holding rest and provides a secondary or auxiliary extinguisher which while delayed in the snufling result is nevertheless a significant and important feature of the over-all device.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details 3,347,246 Patented Oct. 17, 1967 of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the improved household-type ash tray and extinguisher constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view also in perspective and which shows the cover swung to an open position and reveals the normally concealed self-contained holding and extinguishing means.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on the plane of the section line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a view at right angles to FIGURE 3, the section being taken on the plane of the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

And FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail section of the dual trough cigarette storing, concealing and extinguishing chamber.

The whole box-like receiver or tray is denoted by the numeral 8 and the complemental cover section or lid is denoted by the numeral 10. These two units or sections are constructed of appropriate lightweight, but durable fireproof sheet metal and the over-all device may be of a size for individual use or amply large to accommodate more than one person. The horizontal bottom wall is flat as at 11. The vertical front Wall is denoted at 12, the correspondingly vertical and elongated back or rear wall at 14 and the left hand and right hand transverse or end walls are denoted at 16 and 18, respectively. The lid or cover section is of hollow construction and comprises the lid proper 2t) marginally surrounded by longitudinal and transverse flanges defining a depending rim. The front flange in FIGURE 3 is denoted at 22, the opposed rear flange at 24, the left hand end flange at 26 and right hand flange at 23. The flange 24 is hinged or otherwise suitably connected as at 30 to the upper edge portion of the wall 14 (FIG. 3) and the lid or cover is thus readily openable and closable. The flanges forming the rim are mated with the walls forming the box-like tray to provide proper orientation and coaction of these component parts. A first elongated thin metal semi-circular or channel-like trough 32 bridges or spans the space between the end walls 16 and 18 and has its ends lined up with coordinating semi-circular notches 34 and 36. It will be noted that the lengthwise edges of this trough are provided with outstanding coplanar flanges or lips 38 and 40 (see FIG. 5). These flanges are adapted to orient themselves with similar diametrically opposite flanges or lips 42 and 44 formed along the lengthwise edges of the opposing semi-circular second trough 46. The trough 46 is open at its ends and these open ends register with third and fourth notches 48 and 50 provided in the end flanges 26 and 28 so that when the lid or cover is closed notches 48 and 50 register with the notches 34 and 36 and the open bottom of the trough 46 lines up with the open top of the companion trough 32. These flanged troughs define a cylindrical chamber for reception and retention of the partially smoked cigarette (not detailed). It should be noted that the principal surfaces, the convex surfaces, of the trough 46 are spaced from the lid 20 and adjacent rear flange 24 to provide for air circulation.

The end wall 18 is provided with another notch 52 which may be differentiated as the fifth notch. This notch is also semi-circular and an adjacent end of a semicircular half-trough 54 is aligned therewith and joined to the wall 18. The inner open end 56 of this halftrough reaches about midway of the length of the receptacle portion of the tray. It is sufliciently long to receive and balance a cigarette which may be temporarily laid therein while lit and with the thought that the fire and i V ashes will gravitate from the end 56 into the receptacle portion of the tray. Not only does this half-trough 54 serve as a rest, it has the additional function of a delayed action extinguisher whenever necessary or desired. To accomplish this result, a third full length rigid semicircular trough 58 is provided and is located in the hollow portion of the cover section. It should be noted that theright hand end of the trough 58 is lined up with a sixth notch 66 as at 62 and this notch 60 is adapted to be registered with the notch 52 when the lid is closed as shown in the drawing. The right hand end portion of this third or additional trough is joined to the interior of the end flange 26 as shown in FIG. 2 and is closed by the portion 64 of the flange. With the construction described, it will be clear that the flanged troughs 46 and 32 register as do the notches34, 36', 48 and 50. When the lid or cover is closed and a cigarette has been placed in the chamber thus provided, it will be evident that the cigarette, if lit, will be extinguished in a matter of seconds. It is also clear that with the stated notches in registry circular holes are provided at the left and right hand end portions of the tray making it possible to lay the cigarette in the chamber in such a manner that the mouth-gripping end portion thereof is allowed to project or protrude into the atmosphere (not shown) for drying and readying the same to be re-srnoked, if desired. With the lid open, as shown in FIG. 2, one may place a partially smoked cigarette in the rest 54 to be supported in a customary manner and picked up for further smoking as desired. When the lid is closedthe entire upper portion of the rest 54 is capped or covered by the coacting half-portion of the trough 58 and the cigarette will be gradually extinguished.

With further reference to the rest 54 and the cooperating trough 58, it will be seen that the cigarette may be placed in a balanced position so that when the lid is closed down burning and consumption of the cigarette is retarded, reducing the smoke to a minimum and since there isno opening now leading to the outside, the cigarette will be extinguished and can be subsequently removed for continued. smoking. If left in place it will slowly be extinguished by heat conduction which virtually eliminates the further formation of condensation and tars. It is further realized that the recesses existing between the flanges 38, 40, 42 and 44 (FIG. 5) are rigid and not expandable, thus providing a snug-fitting extinguishing chamber but at the same time serving to accommodate either loosely packed or fully packed cigarettes and with little likelihood that the thus encased cigarette will be maintained intact ready for further use. The fact that the lid is light in weight will also compensate for over-sized cigarettes and inasmuch as the lid does not have to be closed down tight for effective results, it is not necessary to provide a holddown fastener for the lid.

It will be noted that the upper trough 58 spans the space between the end walls 26 and 28 of the skirt-like rim. This construction and arrangement is of importance inasmuch as when the lid is closed down over the cigarette rest or trough 54 to be extinguished the coacting portion of the upper trough 58 will encircle that portion of the cigarette, if any, which extends beyond the end 56 of the trough 54 thus retarding the burning or consumption of the cigarette and facilitating the step of picking up the cigarette for continued smoking after it has been laid aside momentarily. Experience has shown that if the cigarette is left burning with the enacting troughs 58 and 54 functioning conjointly the cigarette will be slowly but nevertheless positively extinguished and the unused portion rendered suitable for re-smoking, if desired.

It will be noted too that the half trough 54 together with the complemental upper trough 58 coordinate to provide a fast and eflicient extinguisher so long as the cigarette stub does not extend beyond the trough-end 56.

It should be noted too that the half trough when used as a cigarette rest will not let the cigarette burn past the end 56 inasmuch as it encircles the cigarette portion residing in the trough approximately Therefore, there is little or no danger of the cigarette. becoming too short and accidentally and objectionably toppling off the rest 54.

The notches 52 and 60 not only provide means to let the mouth end of the cigarette extend into the open air for drying out (assuming the extinguished cigarette is to be re-smoked) they also play an important part if the smoker uses lipstick which comes into contact with the mouth end of the cigarette and which would objectionably smear the surfaces of the troughs.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifioations and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A cigarette holding and extinguishing device comprising an ash and butt receiving tray section having a bottom wall, front and back walls and end walls adjoining the ends of said front and back walls, the upper edges of said end walls having upwardly opening semicircular notches aligned with each other, a first elongated open-ended upwardly opening cigarette seating trough spanning the space between said end walls and having its open ends aflixed to said end walls and registering and communicating with their respectively cooperable semicircular notches, the exterior surfaces of said trough being freely spaced from said bottom and back walls and providing air circulating spaces, a cover section embodying a lid having marginally depending front, rear and end flanges providing a skirt-like rim, the lower edge of the rear flange being operatively joined to an upper edge of said back wall, said end flanges having semi-circular notches conformable in shape and size with said first named notches and aligned with each other and alignable and registrable with the aforementioned end wall semi-circular notches when said cover is in its closing position atop said tray, and a second openended downwardly opening trough conform-able in shape and size with and adapted to clampingly cap over and enclose the upwardly opening side of said first trough and providing a cigarette holding and snuffing chamber, said first and second named notches being 'eommunicably registrable with each other, whereby to provide selectively usable orifices at both ends of said chamber which allow the mouth end of a clamped and stored cigarette to protrude into the atmosphere to dry, that is, when the extinguishable cigarette is to be saved for re-smoking.

2. The structure according to claim 1, and wherein said first and second throughs are semi-circular in cross section and the open ends are conformable with their respectively cooperable semi-circular notches.

3. The structure according to claim 1, and wherein said first and second troughs are semi-circular in cross section and the open ends are conformable with their respectively cooperable semi-circular notches, the lengthwise edges of said troughs having outstanding lip-like flanges which are adapted to come together in abutting overlapping relationship and, in so doing, providing elongated crotch-like recesses into which adjacent portions of the cigarette can expand, whereby to prevent bursting of the cigarette if and when it is too snugly clamped between and within the confines of said troughs.

4. The structure according to claim 3, and wherein said troughs are linearly straight from end to end, said flanges likewise being straight and flat, commensurate in length with the length of said troughs, being relatively narrow in plan, the flanges on said first trough being in a common plane with each other and the flanges on the second trough being in a common plane with each other and the latter flanges being seatable firmly atop the first-named flanges and providing close seating association when in engagement with each other.

5. The structure according to claim 4, and wherein said troughs are made of relatively thin heat-dissipating metal.

6. The structure according to claim 4, and wherein said troughs are made of relatively thin heat-dissipating metal, and said second trough and flanges thereon having primary surfaces thereof spaced from adjacent interior surfaces of said lid to permit free circulation of air.

7. The structure according to claim 6, and, in combination, said cover section being provided within the confines of its rim With an additional trough similar in construction to said second trough and opening downwardly when in use, and a trough having a length equal to one half the length of the device and having an outer open end aflixed to one end wall of said tray and aligned With a clearance notch provided therefor in said one end Wall, the inner end being open and terminating above the receiver portion of the tray and providing a rest for a live cigarette, and said half length trough being in a position that it is covered by a companion half-portion of said additional trough when said cover section is closed.

8. A cigarette holding and extinguishing device comprising an ash and butt receiving tray section having a bottom wall, front and back walls and end walls adjoining the ends of said front and back walls, the upper edges of said end walls having upwardly opening semi-circular notches aligned with each other, a first elongated openended upwardly opening cigarette seating trough spanning the space between said end walls and having its open ends affixed to said end walls and registering and communicating with their respectively cooperable semicircular notches, the exterior surfaces of said trough being freely spaced from said bottom and back walls and providing air circulating spaces, one of said end walls having a third notch in its upper edge, a trough having a length equal to one half the length of the device, open at its ends and having one end open and affixed to said upper edge in line with said third notch, said latter notch and said half length trough providing a rest for a live cigarette, a cover embodying a lid marginally encompassed by a depending skirt-like rim, one end flange of said rim having a fourth notch registering with said third notch, a first full-length trough having one end abutting, fixed to and closed by the other end flange and having its other end open and fixed, in alignment with said fourth notch, to said first-named end flange, said first full-length trough having its bottom open and aligned with the coacting open top of said half length trough and covering the latter,

the respective end flanges of said rim having aligned semicircular notches conformable in shape and size with the respective semi-circular notches in said end walls and registering therewith, and a second full-length trough com operable with said cover section and open at its ends with said ends fixed to said end flanges in alignment with the semi-circular notches provided therefor in said end flanges, said second full-length trough bridging the lid portion of the cover section in spaced relation therewith and hav ing its downwardly opening side covering the upwardly opening side of said first cigarette seating trough and providing a live cigarette holding and extinguishing chamher, the notches in said end walls and companion notches in said end flanges defining and providing circular orifices communicating with the atmosphere.

9. The structure according to claim 8, and wherein the lengthwise edges of said cigarette seating chamber-forming troughs are provided with outstanding lip-like flanges which are adapted to come together in abutting overlapping relationship and, in so doing, providing elongated crotch-like recesses into which adjacent portions of the cigarette can expand, whereby to prevent bursting of the cigarette if and when it is too snugly clamped between and within the confines of said troughs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 171,805 3/1954 Lynch.

1,829,454 10/ 1931 Pride.

1,846,252 2/ 1932 Ford 131237 2,606,562 8/1952 Siegel 131235 2,619,092 11/1952 Ayers 131-256 2,877,774 3/1959 Smillie 131-235 2,931,365 4/ 1960 McKenzie 131-242 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,200,612 6/1959 France.

278,563 10/ 1927 Great Britain.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner. JOSEPH S. REICH, Examiner, 

1. A CIGARETTE HOLDING AND EXTINGUISHING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ASH AND BUTT RECEIVING TRAY SECTION HAVING A BOTTOM WALL, FRONT AND BACK WALLS AND END WALLS ADJOINING THE ENDS OF SAID FRONT AND BACK WALLS, THE UPPER EDGES OF SAID END WALLS HAVING UPWARDLY OPENING SEMICIRCULAR NOTCHES ALIGNED WITH EACH OTHER, A FIRST ELONGATED OPEN-ENDED UPWARDLY OPENING CIGARETTE SEATING TROUGH SPANNING THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID END WALLS AND HAVING ITS OPEN ENDS AFFIXED TO SAID END WALLS AND REGISTERING AND COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR RESPECTIVELY COOPERABLE SEMICIRCULAR NOTCHES, THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF SAID TROUGH BEING FREELY SPACED FROM SAID BOTTOM AND BACK WALLS AND PROVIDING AIR CIRCULATING SPACES, A COVER SECTION EMBODYING A LID HAVING MARGINALLY DEPENDING FRONT, REAR AND END FLANGES PROVIDING A SKIRT-LIKE RIM, THE LOWER EDGE OF THE REAR FLANGE BEING OPERATIVELY JOINED TO AN UPPER EDGE OF SAID BACK WALL, SAID END FLANGES HAVING SEMI-CIRCULAR NOTCHES CONFORMABLE IN SHAPE AND SIZE WITH SAID FIRST NAMES NOTCHES AND ALIGNED WITH EACH OTHER AND ALIGNABLE AND REGISTRABLE WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED END WALL SEMI-CIRCULAR NOTCHES WHEN SAID COVER IS IN ITS CLOSING POSITION ATOP SAID TRAY, AND A SECOND OPEN-ENDED DOWNWARDLY OPENING THROUGH CONFORMABLE IN SHAPE AND SIZE WITH THE ADAPTED TO CLAMPINGLY CAP OVER THE ENCLOSE THE UPWARDLY OPENING SIDE OF SAID FIRST TROUGH AND PROVIDING A CIGARETTE HOLDING AND SNUFFING CHAMBER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND NAMED NOTCHES BEING COMMUNICABLY REGISTRABLE WITH EACH OTHER, WHEREBY TO PROVIDE SELECTIVELY USABLE ORIFICES AT BOTH ENDS OF SAID CHAMBER WHICH ALLOW THE MOUTH END OF A CLAMPED AND STORED CIGARETTE TO PROTRUDE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE TO DRY, THAT IS, WHEN THE EXTINGUISHABLE CIGARETTE IS TO BE SAVED FOR RE-SMOKING. 